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EDUC 275
Students, Learning, and Technology: Mindtools for Investigation and Education

3 week, 3 UMD credit course for high school students.
Residential option available.
July 8-27, 2007
Application Process Begins: February 19, 2007

CS/DF SLT Young Scholars Scholarships - application deadline is May 7, 2007.
For more information, please visit the CS/DF SLT Young Scholars webpage

 YSP Turtle

SLT Program Overview | Program Application  | Program Recommendation | Personal Statement

Young Scholars Two

Can-Do Challenge Robot

 Young Scholars One
Classroom
Staff

Instructor:
Davina Pruitt-Mentle

GA: Kim Reddy
       Carla Doernberg

Course Meeting Times
Five sessions /week-3 weeks
9:30-3:00
Level
Undergraduate
Discipline
All disciplines encouraged

Program Overview

The purpose of SLT is to foster excellence in 21st century skills which will help students succeed in college, and prepare themselves with the skills necessary to meet the shifting and constantly changing demands of the future workplace.

This course provides a means to explore technology applications essential to college success as well as opportunities to investigate career possibilities that connect education and technology.

The immediate goal is to attract a greater number of talented and diverse students to careers that interconnect the fields of education, science, math, and technology.

Students will participate in cutting-edge technology projects, robotic activities, and Logo-based computer learning environments in a hands-on setting, offering new technology skills, challenges, field trips and friendships!

  • Foster excellence in 21st century skills including Digital Literacy
  • Explore technology applications - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Inspiration, Kidspiration, Microsoft Project, Blackboard, TappedIn, Wiki & Blogs, MOO Crossing
  • Design, build, and program using MicroWorlds™, LEGO® Mindstorms™/Roblab™ , Squeak, ICONS, and StarLogo

Catalog Description

Explore and expand knowledge of essential 21st century skills (technology fluency and applications, team building, collaboration tools, problem based critical thinking), through gaming, modeling and simulation development, while investigating exciting careers that interconnect the fields of education and technology.

Course Description:

New technology is creating growth and opportunities in fields ranging from teaching to communications, geology to space science, and cryptography to computer forensics. Looking into the future, it is imperative that students are trained in key 21st century skills which will help them play a part in these fields and others, succeed in college, and prepare themselves with the skills necessary to meet the shifting and constantly changing demands of the future workplace.

This course allows students to explore and expand knowledge of essential 21st century skills (technology fluency and applications, team building, collaboration tools, problem based critical thinking), through gaming, modeling and simulation development, while investigating exciting careers that interconnect the fields of science, math, education and technology.

We explore the design and use of games and simulations in the classroom, and the research and development issues associated with each. We explore various modeling and simulation software packages (MicroWorlds, RoboLab, ICONS, Squeak, StarLogo), criteria for development, methods for evaluating the success, while also studying what and how people learn from programming and participating in games, models and simulations.

This course provides a means to explore technology applications essential to college success, as well as opportunities to investigate career possibilities that utilize technology. Students, Learning, and Technology will provide three weeks of dynamic and challenging activities through a variety of computer applications and Logo-based computer learning environments.

The underlying philosophy of Logo links pedagogy to programming in a tight bond. Logo's central theme is that the journey is the reward. The act of creating a program from scratch and debugging it is where the learning takes place. Once a Logo task is complete, the learner has accomplished two things: not only created a working program, but also, and more important, has developed or refined problem-solving strategies that can be applied to other tasks, whether computer-related or not. (David Thornberg, The Philosophy of Logo: the Most Important Attribute)

Field trips and guest speakers will show how programming and various technology-based applications are used in the modern work environment. Workshops will be hands-on and project-based aimed at learning the thought processes behind solving modern problems. Morning sessions will give students a chance to explore different technology applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Inspiration, Kidspiration, Microsoft Project). Participants will explore, design, build, program, experiment and develop projects using one or more Logo-based computer learning environments (i.e. MicroWorlds™, LEGO® Mindstorms™/Robolab™ , Squeak, ICONS, StarLogo). Afternoon team activities will focus on designing, building and programming cybernetic devices via the LOGO language and LEGO® Mindstorms™ robotic construction kit. Students are exposed to other online formats (Blackboard, TappedIn, Wiki & Blogs, MOO Crossing) via their course activities and discussion. Students need only general computer awareness (basic keyboarding skills). As a culminating activity, student work and reflections will be incorporated into an E-portfolio.

To learn more and see student projects go to our YSP Student Site.

Previous Student Comments

I will remember this entire experience because this is the most interactive class I have ever had. I am truly a lover of constructivist learning. I will always remember the interesting field trips we took and the exciting guest speakers. This class has been quite a trip. I have learned many valuable life lessons and I have gotten a great preview of college. -Kelli
 2004 SLT
2004 Students, Learning, and Technology
I gained a lot from this course, programming skills with MicroWorlds and Robo lab, and participating in our group simulations. I will remember and use my skills to further advance my education skills. –Jerome
Months from now I will remember my roles as the “debugger” and how great it felt when I was able to successfully troubleshoot my robots and programs (as well as the robots and programs of others). So many times in Logo and Mindstorms I felt as if I could fix anything (even without a lot of time) because I had enough patience, knowledge, and resources (ex. to look up code) to do anything.-Bryan
2003 Students, Learning, and Technology
I gained insight into college life, a learning experience, a lot of practical information that I will take with me as I grow and mature. Thank you for this opportunity and this wonderful experience. - Melissa

... the fun and exciting activities are Lego and Microworlds, ... another thing was constructivist methods for teachers and students. – Steven

I have learned a lot of things, such as working with groups, ways to become successful in college, attitude and working habits – Alhaji

I really enjoyed the class and it was an awesome experience. If i do get the chance to take it again next year, I would do so. Hope the rest of your summer will be good. Thanks! – Carolyn

The entire past three weeks has been an incredibly valuable experience. This class has actually exceeded my expectations. - Eitan

I did leave with more than I came with. I can honestly say this course has changed my life. - Titilayo

2007 Harford County

  • Pre-Assessment
  • Scavenger Hunt [Word ... PDF]
  • Overview Presentation [PPT ... PDF]
  • Starlogo Files
  • Baltimore Sun Article - Harford County Edition - July 22, 2007. Students Jump-Start Computer Training Program Teachers Joy of Technology to Eager Teens

2007 Prince Georges County

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Research, & Outreach
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